Georgetown Police Department Announces “Online Safe Zone” for Online Transactions

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

Georgetown Police Department Announces “Online Safe Zone” for Online Transactions

GEORGETOWN — Police Chief Donald Cudmore is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Police Department has implemented a new program aimed at facilitating a safe and secure meeting place for residents to meet strangers and complete online transactions on websites like Craigslist.

While the Georgetown Police Department cannot guarantee the quality or authenticity of items purchased online, the Department has created the “Safety Zone” at the Georgetown Police Department to ensure that residents have a safe, secure, and public meeting place to conduct purchases and sales of items.

Georgetown residents and business owners who wish to complete an online transaction made via Facebook, Craigslist, or another medium, can arrange to meet at the “Online Safe Zone” — a location at the Georgetown Police Station, just outside the station.

The location is covered by security cameras.

“Our primary duty as police officers is to ensure public safety. Online purchases are very popular, but completing these transactions can make a person feel uncomfortable, and there have been reports all over the country of meetings going wrong,” Chief Cudmore said. “We hope that residents take advantage of the new Online Safe Zone as a new program aimed at keeping people safe.”

The Georgetown Police Station is staffed 24/7.

Georgetown’s “Online Safe Zone” program was implemented by Lt. Scott Hatch.

“There are great deals online, but we want to make sure our residents feel safe and actually are safe when they go to pay for or sell an item,” Lt. Hatch said. “I hope our residents enjoy using the Online Safe Zone.”

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